Kenyans condemn brutal killing of LGBTQ+ activist Edwin Chiloba, demand Gov't action

The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) has condemned the brutal murder of LGBTQ+ activist Edwin Chiloba whose body was found stuffed inside a metallic box along the Kipkenyo-Kaptinga Road in Uasin Gishu County.

In a statement on Friday, KHRC labelled the grisly murder as unjust while decrying a surge in the number of violent crimes targeting members of the queer community across the country.

"It is truly worrisome that we continue to witness escalation in violence targeting LGBTQ+ Kenyans. This is reprehensible and deeply unjust. Every day, the human rights of LGBTQ+ persons are being violated with little consequence for perpetrators," said KHRC.

"This is a frightening crime but it’s becoming common in Kenya - evidence of a growing epidemic of violence in the country."

KHRC likewise urged law enforcement agencies to swiftly bring the perpetrators of the gory murder to book while referencing the killing of another LGBTQ+ activist, Sheila Lumumba, last year.

"In April 2022, Sheila Lumumba, an LGBTQ+ activist in Kenya was targeted and brutally killed. We are calling on the DCI and the ODPP to conduct swift investigations and ensure the killers are apprehended and prosecuted. The government must reinforce legal protections against non-discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity," said the Human Rights body.